The Alachua County Emergency Operations Center is at a level 2 activation. Current forecasts show Hurricane Irma potentially impacting Alachua County Saturday evening, September 9, 2017.
Two shelters will open Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. : A special needs shelter at the Alachua County Senior Center (5701 N.W. 34th Blvd., Gainesville), and a general population shelter located at The Easton Newberry Sports Complex (24880 N.W. 16th Ave., Newberry).
Citizens needing to arrange special needs transportation to the special needs shelter may call the following phone numbers beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017: (352) 955-2575, (352) 955-2576, (352) 955-2577, or (352) 955-2579.
To register for special needs assistance call 311.
Alachua County Courts will be closed Friday, September 8, 2017.
For those considering using the emergency shelters, please remember that general population shelters are a last resort, and should only be used by those living in homes that are potentially unsafe in high winds (e.g. mobile homes, manufactured homes and others), people who live in flood-prone areas, and people who have nowhere else safe to go.
General population shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.
To stay informed about current conditions and threats from Hurricane Irma, please call 311, the Alachua County Information and Rumor Control Line. Please use it to verify the most up to the minute information on Hurricane Irma. This number cannot receive texts. Please use 911 for bona fide emergencies only.
Residents are encouraged to have a basic emergency supply kit, an emergency preparedness plan, and to register for emergency alerts at www.AlertAlachua.com.
Residents are also encouraged to stay informed about major storm conditions by following Alachua County onFacebook and Twitter, and subscribing to the County's press releases.
For more information, call 311.